Essay on "Collaboration Tools That Knowledge Managers Really Need and Factors That Impede Their Adoption and Use"

Quoted Instructions for "Collaboration Tools That Knowledge Managers Really Need and Factors That Impede Their Adoption and Use" Assignment:

There is no question that a large part of the future of organizational information technology mamnagement involves networks and networked systems rather than stand-alone computing hardware. From about 1980 until 2000, IT was largely defined by the *****"personal computer*****", supplemented increasingly by networked resources but still largely dependent on local processing power. Since then, the advantage has shifted rather dramatically toward the network; what is now often referred to as *****"cloud computing*****" is the hot topic, and the question now is what role may still be ratained by the personal computer, if any (*****"the cloud*****" being the generic term for *****"somewhere out there on the network*****".) There are many issues connected here; we don*****'t have time in this course to deal with a lot of them, but you*****'ll be encountering them left, right, and center throughout your program of study with us. Let*****'s just say that *****"the cloud*****" is neither heaven nor hell -- but certainly does contain elements of both.

But there is also no doubt that organizations are becoming more dispersed, more *****"virtual*****", and more dependent than ever on collaboration technologies to sustain and support these trends. In the case for this module, we will explore some dimensions of these technologies and their impact on organizational knowlwedge resources. A good place to start is this interesting recent review of new collaboration tools in the virtual office environment:

Fedorowicz, J., Laso-Ballesteros, I., and Padilla-Meléndez, A. (2010) E-Collaboration Tools and Technologies for Creativity and Innovation Enhancement. Information Resources Management Association. Retrieved May 22, 2011, from http://www.irma-international.org/viewtitle/41547/

In the last couple of years, all the corporate Big Boys -- particularly Microsoft and Google, have staked out claims in this area. Here are some introductory links to get your explorartion started:

Google (2010) Google Docs. Retrieved November 15, 2010 from http://www.google.com/google-d-s/tour1.html

Microsoft (2010) What is Office 365? Retrieved November 15, 2010 from http://office365.microsoft.com/en-US/what-is-office365.aspx

Finally, to pull things back together from a managerial perspective, consider the following article. If collaboration technologies are to serve the knowledge management field, then they need to do certain things, as we*****ve been talking about all course long.

Annibell, B. (2010) The Future State of Collaboration. The Public Manager. Winter 2010. Retrieved February 17, 2011, from http://www.sapient.com/assets/imagedownloader/642/POV_Future%20State%20of%20Collaboration.pdf

The Background Readings page lists some optional readings that may be useful to you as you consider these issues, or you may find other sources yourself (be sure to reference properly whatever specific sources you draw on) It might also be helpful to use the PPR Wiki as an information resource for any of the Modules in this course.

Case Assignment

Read the assigned readings, supplemented if you wish with material from the optional readings and perhaps the supplementary background as well, and even other outside readings you might find by yourself to be useful. Then write a short paper stating your position on the question:

*****"Collaboration tools that knowledge managers really need, and factors that impede their adoption and use*****"

In preparing your paper, you may wish to think about some particular issues. These should NOT be considered as an outline of any sort or a list of questions to be answered, but simply as points that might help organize your thinking. These include:

What kinds of tools are needed by knowledge managers?

What are the main features of the offerings from the different vendors?

What are the tradeoffs among them? [HINT: you might want to do some searching for product comparisons ***** there are a lot of them out there.]

What isn*****t there now that ought to be down the road for really effective KM?

And an overriding question that will recur throughout this course and others in this program: To what degree do IT managers and top managers need to use the same vocabulary to talk about things like KM?

Case Assignment Expectations

Your paper should be short (5-7 pages, not including cover sheet and references) and to the point. It is to be structured as a point/counterpoint argument, in the following manner.

You are expected to:

Begin this paper by stating your position on this question clearly and concisely

Citing appropriate sources, present the reasons why you take this position. Be sure to make the most effective case you can.

Then present the best evidence you can, again citing appropriate sources, against your position -- that is, establish what counterarguments can be made to your original position.

Finally, review your original position in light of the counterarguments, showing how they are inadequate to rebut your original statement.

By the end of your paper, you should be able to unequivocally re-affirm your original position.

You will be particularly assessed on:

Your ability to see what the module is all about and to structure your paper accordingly.

Your informed commentary and analysis -- simply repeating what your sources say does not constitute an adequate paper.

Your ability to apply the professional language and terminology of systems design and analysis correctly and in context; you are expected to be familiar with this language and use it appropriately.

Your effective and appropriate use of in-text citations to the assigned readings and other source material to support your arguments. Refer to the Purdue University APA formatting and style guide (see required readings) for the proper formats.